What to know before you move: cost, market timing, who it fits.
If you're considering a move to Pacifica, CA, the most important variables are the local housing market, the cost structure (taxes, insurance, utilities), and how well the city fits your day-to-day life. This page summarizes the housing market read; pair it with the cost of living page for the full picture.
Pacifica is a city in San Mateo County, California, with an estimated population of 37,056. It anchors the San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley metro area. The population has contracted 1.0% per year on average since 2020. The median home value in Pacifica is $1,277,575 as of 2026-04, down 1.9% over the last 12 months. Over the last five years, home values have averaged +0.8% annual growth, and the market currently sits about 10% below its 5-year peak. Rents in Pacifica average $3,597 per month, up 6.1% year-over-year. The composite momentum score is 46 of 100 (Cooling). Buyers may find more room to negotiate; sellers should price realistically.
Prices have come off recent highs (-10.1% from peak). Buyers may have more room to negotiate; sellers should price realistically.
Reasons people move here
- Hot rental market: rents up 6.1% YoY — landlords have pricing power, supports new investment math.
- The data is the data: Pacifica has at least 5 years of Zillow tracking, full Census identification, and is included in the 2-criteria momentum score on this page.
Things to know first
- Net out-migration: population shrinking 1.0% per year — services, schools, and tax base will follow.
- Expensive AND not growing: median home $1,277,575 with only -1.9% YoY. You're paying premium pricing for a flat trend.
- 10% off recent peak — buyers are getting through-the-cycle pricing, not the peak.
More about Pacifica
Sources: Zillow ZHVI (home values), Zillow ZORI (rents), US Census ACS + place population. Updated when source agencies publish revisions.